k2626
09-02-2008, 05:23 PM
Hi guys. What were your initital symptoms of MS? Also, did it all come on at once or gradually.
I am going to be getting an MRI to test for MS and other potential causes for my symptoms...
I am going to be getting an MRI to test for MS and other potential causes for my symptoms...
Sponsor
Nenu
09-02-2008, 06:21 PM
You know, I initially thought my first symptom was vertigo (true to MS linked symptom that is). Now in hindsight, I'm not entirely sure.
When I was diagnosed, my neurologist figured I'd had MS for at least 5 years (based on my MRI films and other findings).
The vertigo only occurred last summer, and I was diagnosed March 2008. I had gone off work due to chronic facial pain (left side) and walking up in what I described at the time as "convulsions".
I now actually believe my first 'symptom' was something that hit me out of the blue that was similar to what I've seen Trigeminal Neuralgia described as. Left side of my head, intense stabbing shooting pain that brought me to my knees. It was the worst pain I had felt in my head, period, until my spinal headache after my lumbar puncture during my MS diagnosis.
That head pain would place me around the exact time that my neurologist suspects that I started my disease course. I had the same type of pain attack 4-5 times over a couple months a few years ago, and then mysteriously those pains disappeared. I have not had a similar attack of stabbing pain since, but I do deal with head pains quite a lot.
The more "MS like" symptoms, such as vertigo/L'Hermittes/girdle banding/numbness and pins & needles came within the last year.
When I was diagnosed, my neurologist figured I'd had MS for at least 5 years (based on my MRI films and other findings).
The vertigo only occurred last summer, and I was diagnosed March 2008. I had gone off work due to chronic facial pain (left side) and walking up in what I described at the time as "convulsions".
I now actually believe my first 'symptom' was something that hit me out of the blue that was similar to what I've seen Trigeminal Neuralgia described as. Left side of my head, intense stabbing shooting pain that brought me to my knees. It was the worst pain I had felt in my head, period, until my spinal headache after my lumbar puncture during my MS diagnosis.
That head pain would place me around the exact time that my neurologist suspects that I started my disease course. I had the same type of pain attack 4-5 times over a couple months a few years ago, and then mysteriously those pains disappeared. I have not had a similar attack of stabbing pain since, but I do deal with head pains quite a lot.
The more "MS like" symptoms, such as vertigo/L'Hermittes/girdle banding/numbness and pins & needles came within the last year.
k2626
09-02-2008, 06:33 PM
Hmm, I have had "electrical type" head pains for years. Like quick short stabs to my head that would stop me in my tracks. I had an MRI for these two years ago but it came back okay. My neuro said they were ice pick headaches....
april1848
09-02-2008, 08:10 PM
I had L'hermittes Syndrome, which is an electrical feeling; mine went from my neck to my toes, anytime I moved my neck. It started all of a sudden, while I was sitting in my office! I also had a very severe stabbing pain in one small area of my back. I really thought I had a pinched nerve.
Prior to this, years ago, I was sent to the ER by my boss once because my entire left arm went numb, starting with the fingers and ending at my shoulder. It went away that night. I've had tremors, especially in my hands, since my teens. I've had very bad sensitivity to heat since my late teens. It all makes sense in hindsight!
Prior to this, years ago, I was sent to the ER by my boss once because my entire left arm went numb, starting with the fingers and ending at my shoulder. It went away that night. I've had tremors, especially in my hands, since my teens. I've had very bad sensitivity to heat since my late teens. It all makes sense in hindsight!
MSNik
09-02-2008, 09:23 PM
woke up one day with a numb, tingling left hand and fingers...thought I had slept on it wrong...after 3 days, went to dr to see if it could be carpal tunnel, when that was ruled out, a CT scan was ordered to look for a pinched nerve....that led to a very good radiologist who knew something wasnt right- called in a Neuro, who led me to a MRI...50+ lesions later- MS was probable. A spinal tap and history later, and MS was for sure..
Looking back, I had had an entire year of tripping, heat sensitivity getting out of the shower and in the sun- dizzness, balance issues, lots of MS related symtoms which I had just ignored.....
Looking back, I had had an entire year of tripping, heat sensitivity getting out of the shower and in the sun- dizzness, balance issues, lots of MS related symtoms which I had just ignored.....
Delilah008
09-02-2008, 09:25 PM
I've had sensitivity to heat since my late teenage years. I can't stand sunbathing or spending too long in the sun 'cause my skin feels like it's on fire.
The first real "MS" symptom I can remember was numbness and tingling in my left leg whenever I took the dog out for a long walk. I was 19 that summer. It last for a few weeks then went away. About a year or so after that I started developing pain in my chest. I now attribute them to MS hugs, but at the time I was in school and stressed and thought it was 'cause by stress. (The doctor I went to did and EKG and then totally dismissed it).
I've also had a moment of vertigo when I was about 23 while sitting at a desk typing. The room literally spun but only for what seemed like half a second.
I also has urge incontinence start somewhere between 21-22 on and off for years. I could go weeks or months having to wear pads because I just couldn't get to the bathroom on time and then long stretches where everything worked perfectly.
I've also had "ice pick headaches" since being a late teenager. They usually affect the right side of my head. Over the past 4-5 years I've had similar pain in toes, fingers, wrist, leg or forearms. It feels like a horrible stabbing pain that's coming from the inside, "ice pick body parts"?
I'm 26 now. You'd think that with all these symptoms, someone might have put it all together earlier and thought it was odd for an otherwise healthy early 20-something to have urge incontinence, chest pain, heat sensitivity, and vertigo.
Oh, yeah. Forgot to mention the random dizziness that developed about 3 years ago. And last year, just a few months prior to getting diagnosed, I developed tingling and numbness in the first two fingers of each hand. Sometimes at the same time, sometimes individually. It would come and go randomly until just before I was diagnosed when it stayed for over a week. The neuro thought it was a symptom, I just thought I fell asleep badly and pinched a nerve. (Not to mention I was doing martial arts at the time and had take some bad spills onto my head).
Hindsight is definitely 20/20.
The first real "MS" symptom I can remember was numbness and tingling in my left leg whenever I took the dog out for a long walk. I was 19 that summer. It last for a few weeks then went away. About a year or so after that I started developing pain in my chest. I now attribute them to MS hugs, but at the time I was in school and stressed and thought it was 'cause by stress. (The doctor I went to did and EKG and then totally dismissed it).
I've also had a moment of vertigo when I was about 23 while sitting at a desk typing. The room literally spun but only for what seemed like half a second.
I also has urge incontinence start somewhere between 21-22 on and off for years. I could go weeks or months having to wear pads because I just couldn't get to the bathroom on time and then long stretches where everything worked perfectly.
I've also had "ice pick headaches" since being a late teenager. They usually affect the right side of my head. Over the past 4-5 years I've had similar pain in toes, fingers, wrist, leg or forearms. It feels like a horrible stabbing pain that's coming from the inside, "ice pick body parts"?
I'm 26 now. You'd think that with all these symptoms, someone might have put it all together earlier and thought it was odd for an otherwise healthy early 20-something to have urge incontinence, chest pain, heat sensitivity, and vertigo.
Oh, yeah. Forgot to mention the random dizziness that developed about 3 years ago. And last year, just a few months prior to getting diagnosed, I developed tingling and numbness in the first two fingers of each hand. Sometimes at the same time, sometimes individually. It would come and go randomly until just before I was diagnosed when it stayed for over a week. The neuro thought it was a symptom, I just thought I fell asleep badly and pinched a nerve. (Not to mention I was doing martial arts at the time and had take some bad spills onto my head).
Hindsight is definitely 20/20.
Bearygood
09-02-2008, 10:01 PM
Something was wrong with my eye and it turned out to be Optic Neuritis, an eye condition very closely associated with MS. I did have some other sx but nothing I couldn't (and didn't) ignore. MS was not on my radar at all!!! As far as really initial sx go though? That's a hard question for many of us to answer. There are things dating back loooong ago for me that MIGHT have been MS related. My doctor thinks I've had MS for a very long time BUT there is no way of absolutely proving it.
cknmbbl
09-02-2008, 10:10 PM
MSNIK,
Could I ask what kind of balance issues you had in the beginning? Thank you very much.
CK
Could I ask what kind of balance issues you had in the beginning? Thank you very much.
CK
k2626
09-03-2008, 12:07 AM
Wow so my icepick headaches could be part of MS? Does MS always show up on an MRI as the reason I had an MRI last yr was due to the ice pick stabbing headaches. The body pain I have---feels like ice pick type pains at times too. I have also been getting dizzy, in fact I complained about it a few times for about 6 months before I started getting pains..........
Joint cracking though...could that be MS related? I mean it is out of control!
Joint cracking though...could that be MS related? I mean it is out of control!
Bearygood
09-03-2008, 12:22 AM
Yes, headaches CAN be related to MS but it's not a given. You can have MS and have headaches that are not related to MS although in some cases they definitely are.
Disease activity is what causes lesions so that comes before the scarring. It can sometimes take a very long time for lesions to show up. In cases where there is enough evidence to suspect MS but the MRI is inconclusive or clear the doctor will usually want to do an LP to see if anything shows up.
As mentioned before, joint cracking sounds more like Lyme or something else but to say something is utterly impossible with MS is usually a mistake! But as with the headaches, it is possible it can be a completely separate issue. Point is -- it's not always MS, even if you have MS.
Disease activity is what causes lesions so that comes before the scarring. It can sometimes take a very long time for lesions to show up. In cases where there is enough evidence to suspect MS but the MRI is inconclusive or clear the doctor will usually want to do an LP to see if anything shows up.
As mentioned before, joint cracking sounds more like Lyme or something else but to say something is utterly impossible with MS is usually a mistake! But as with the headaches, it is possible it can be a completely separate issue. Point is -- it's not always MS, even if you have MS.
MSNik
09-03-2008, 12:26 AM
Hi you asked what kind of balance issues I had in the beginning....sounds strange looking back, but in my 20s, I did alot of modeling, and wore alot of 4 and 5 inch heels! I used to be able to dance the night away in them and never thought twice about it..in my early 30s I noticed that when I wore normal 3 inch heels, I was always off balance and actually thought it was because I wasnt used to the heel height. As things progressed, even lower heels were cuasing me to tip over on occasion. Then, I fell down the stairs in my house, thought I was getting clutzy and missed a step, but the second time it happend, I was coming down and felt like I couldnt feel the step, and missed...down I went, with 10 stitches in my head to boot!
I also felt like I couldnt always walk straight, my husband used to tell me that I walked into him. Id walk, with my hand on his belt loop, to keep a straight line...all of this, I attributed to balance.
I dont know if that helps you, but thats what I meant when I mentioned it...
Oh, and I read on another post that the poster said that heat sensitivity made her skin feel like it was burning...Im not sure if that is true or not in MS terms..but in MS terms, heat sensitivity means when you get out of the heat, or out of a hot shower, or even overheated from exercise or overexhertion- you get dizzy and a sense of your head not being connected to your body- it can cause cognitive problems and even vertigo- it can cause the body temp to go up very quickly (maybe thats why she felt a skin burn? I dont know) but overall, heat sensitivity is more of a physical disconnect more then an actual hot flash or burning feeling...I wanted to mention this because it was probably the most unusual of all my "first" symtoms which I ignored and thought I was imagining..
Nikki
I also felt like I couldnt always walk straight, my husband used to tell me that I walked into him. Id walk, with my hand on his belt loop, to keep a straight line...all of this, I attributed to balance.
I dont know if that helps you, but thats what I meant when I mentioned it...
Oh, and I read on another post that the poster said that heat sensitivity made her skin feel like it was burning...Im not sure if that is true or not in MS terms..but in MS terms, heat sensitivity means when you get out of the heat, or out of a hot shower, or even overheated from exercise or overexhertion- you get dizzy and a sense of your head not being connected to your body- it can cause cognitive problems and even vertigo- it can cause the body temp to go up very quickly (maybe thats why she felt a skin burn? I dont know) but overall, heat sensitivity is more of a physical disconnect more then an actual hot flash or burning feeling...I wanted to mention this because it was probably the most unusual of all my "first" symtoms which I ignored and thought I was imagining..
Nikki
DavidLeeK
09-03-2008, 12:43 AM
my initial symptoms was 6 years ago with tingling in my legs, doctors did x-rays and said don't see anything wrong, you have to push doctors, because if my spine looked okay and my legs still tingled, that means something else was wrong
happened again about 3 years ago, as first time went away after a couple of months
then this year, happened all in short amount of time:
motor problems on right side
neck, shoulder, arm, hand and fingers went numb
bladder issues
sensation/tingling on left side from chest to toes
blurred vision
happened again about 3 years ago, as first time went away after a couple of months
then this year, happened all in short amount of time:
motor problems on right side
neck, shoulder, arm, hand and fingers went numb
bladder issues
sensation/tingling on left side from chest to toes
blurred vision
cknmbbl
09-03-2008, 11:18 AM
Thanks for the info. It is very helpful. Nikki, would it be correct to say that your balance wasn't a constant issue? Have a great day!
CK
CK
slsmith1122
02-20-2009, 07:59 PM
My symptoms started 11 years ago. I had my first migraine. Then tingling legs, went numb. I went to a neurologist, he ordered an MRI, said there were no lesions, but water around brain, so he put me on diamox.(?)Basically, i started feeling better & never went back.
5 years later, my hands & fingers went numb with strong stabbing pains, to the point i was in tears. I went to the chiropractor, that day, started the first of 18 treatments of streching my neck on some sort of machine. However, after the first few treatments, my hands quit hurting.
Was that coincidence, or remission? I don't know. Sx went away. Now, for the past 10 days, with a new symptom each day, I started having prickly feeling on left side of face, the next day it was the whole left side of my body. the next day it was my arms, legs, & face tingling. then the leg cramps, armcramps, fatique, muscle weakness.....etc. new things that had not happened before. I went to the ER this past Monday, they done an MRI, negative. Labs negative. Doc said i needed to go to Neurologist. \That he may want to do a lumbar puncture. I have made an appt with a new neuro in town, but it is weeks before i can see him. Does this all sound like MS?
5 years later, my hands & fingers went numb with strong stabbing pains, to the point i was in tears. I went to the chiropractor, that day, started the first of 18 treatments of streching my neck on some sort of machine. However, after the first few treatments, my hands quit hurting.
Was that coincidence, or remission? I don't know. Sx went away. Now, for the past 10 days, with a new symptom each day, I started having prickly feeling on left side of face, the next day it was the whole left side of my body. the next day it was my arms, legs, & face tingling. then the leg cramps, armcramps, fatique, muscle weakness.....etc. new things that had not happened before. I went to the ER this past Monday, they done an MRI, negative. Labs negative. Doc said i needed to go to Neurologist. \That he may want to do a lumbar puncture. I have made an appt with a new neuro in town, but it is weeks before i can see him. Does this all sound like MS?
Carol72
02-21-2009, 10:41 AM
My first recognizable symptom (or at least the one that alerted me to something not being right) was "dullness" in my left thigh. Over a few days, the dullness spread to my calf and down to my foot. I hesitate to call it numbness as I still had feeling--could feel me touching my leg, could feel my shoe on my foot, etc. The best way to describe it is that if I scratched my bare thigh, it felt like I was scratching it through a blanket. At the time, I was pursing an MRI of my lumbar spine as I had just coincidentally hurt my back and a pinched nerve was suspected (the MRI did in fact show a herniated disc). In the meantime, while on the oral steroids for my leg, my right hand got progressively weaker to the point where I was JUST functional.
As a result of the hand weakness, and no response to the oral steroids, I was sent for an cervical and thoracic MRI which showed one lesions in each of these areas. I was then sent for a brain MRI which also showed lesions, and was diagnosed with MS that day.
As a result of the hand weakness, and no response to the oral steroids, I was sent for an cervical and thoracic MRI which showed one lesions in each of these areas. I was then sent for a brain MRI which also showed lesions, and was diagnosed with MS that day.
sunshine149
02-21-2009, 11:55 AM
I've had MS for 12 years (this month!). Over about 4 weeks, sx started with left-sided facial numbness including my tongue then vision loss in left eye (ON), then numbness to both legs from crotch to toes with left-sided knee buckling. Intial MRI scans were clear until about a year later. Neuro referred to this as a classic onset of MS but many people have a much different experience.
Chateau
02-21-2009, 12:04 PM
Diane (Carol72),
I've been reading thru your previous posts and seeing that your initial symptoms and mine are quite similar. I'm trying to remain positive and since I don't have a firm diagnosis yet, I can't get going with any treatment. I posted on my original thread "late onset" that I'd finished all my testing and now waiting for dx. I too assumed a lower back issue when this numbness started. It's like taking over my whole lower body now and very disconcerting. I think I read you did the steriod IV treatment. How was it and did it help with the numbness? Did you have the complete series of Neuro tests, like EMG, EP, LP, etc? I'm starting to feel a little unstable and having some minor bowel issues which is driving me nuts.
FYI I was on Lexapro for about 1.5 years up until a year ago. I had no side effects and it really helped to get me through a rough patch. I'm hoping my PCP will put me back on it when I get to see him, hopefully on Monday. And my husband has been on Xanax (.5 mg) once a day for over 14 years after bypass surgery. If he doesn't take, he knows it, but has never taken more thru the day even tho prescription allows for 3 a day.
When I saw our symptoms were similar I was curious as to your age and I see you're 35? With 2 liitle ones? My 2 daughter in laws are about the same age, one with girls 5 & 3 and the other (living next door to us) with girl & boy 5 & 3. I promise not to complain too much as I admire all the young mothers today that are just dealing with raising children, let alone having to deal with MS. You go girl... I'm probably sounding a bit desperate for info but that's what is so great about this forum, nonstop support and information. It's so good to be prepared when you have a limited amount of time to meet with doctors and ask questions. I'm hoping for a speedy dx just so I can get on with whatever I need to get on with. And then I think "now let's just slow down and think about this, what else could this be?" I have a very good friend who lost most of her vision in one eye (retina detached) in a matter of minutes while driving.....and we talked about how we never considered vision problems in our little health talks, we are so informed about breast cancer and heart disease. And we never talked about MS either. Until I found this forum, the thought NEVER crossed my mind.
Thanks for "listening" to my rambling as I keep looking for the silver lining in all of this.
Linda
I've been reading thru your previous posts and seeing that your initial symptoms and mine are quite similar. I'm trying to remain positive and since I don't have a firm diagnosis yet, I can't get going with any treatment. I posted on my original thread "late onset" that I'd finished all my testing and now waiting for dx. I too assumed a lower back issue when this numbness started. It's like taking over my whole lower body now and very disconcerting. I think I read you did the steriod IV treatment. How was it and did it help with the numbness? Did you have the complete series of Neuro tests, like EMG, EP, LP, etc? I'm starting to feel a little unstable and having some minor bowel issues which is driving me nuts.
FYI I was on Lexapro for about 1.5 years up until a year ago. I had no side effects and it really helped to get me through a rough patch. I'm hoping my PCP will put me back on it when I get to see him, hopefully on Monday. And my husband has been on Xanax (.5 mg) once a day for over 14 years after bypass surgery. If he doesn't take, he knows it, but has never taken more thru the day even tho prescription allows for 3 a day.
When I saw our symptoms were similar I was curious as to your age and I see you're 35? With 2 liitle ones? My 2 daughter in laws are about the same age, one with girls 5 & 3 and the other (living next door to us) with girl & boy 5 & 3. I promise not to complain too much as I admire all the young mothers today that are just dealing with raising children, let alone having to deal with MS. You go girl... I'm probably sounding a bit desperate for info but that's what is so great about this forum, nonstop support and information. It's so good to be prepared when you have a limited amount of time to meet with doctors and ask questions. I'm hoping for a speedy dx just so I can get on with whatever I need to get on with. And then I think "now let's just slow down and think about this, what else could this be?" I have a very good friend who lost most of her vision in one eye (retina detached) in a matter of minutes while driving.....and we talked about how we never considered vision problems in our little health talks, we are so informed about breast cancer and heart disease. And we never talked about MS either. Until I found this forum, the thought NEVER crossed my mind.
Thanks for "listening" to my rambling as I keep looking for the silver lining in all of this.
Linda
Carol72
02-21-2009, 03:36 PM
Chateau,
You'll have to forgive me memory, but did you have all the MRIs (brain, cervical and thoracic)? If so, did they show anything? From what I understand, there is no DEFINITIVE test that says you have MS, but MRIs are pretty significant in getting as close to a diagnosis as possible. Aside from the MRIs, the only other test I had was an EMG (the electrode one) on my hand prior to the MRIs when my hand was showing weakness. I have only had one MRI as my baseline so I'll have to see what shows up when I get my first follow-up in 3.5 months. I just recently (last week) switched doctors and now I see an MS specialist.
Yes, I have 2 girls (4 and 6 years old), am 36 years old and was diagnosed the day before Thanksgiving last year. I am doing well on the Lexapro and am currently on Klonopin (after switching from Xanax last month). Both meds have done me a world of good, and I am a totally different person than I was 2.5 months ago. I am also seeing a counselor, and that is helping but I think it's really the medication that has made the difference.
Good luck with your diagnosis, and keep coming here if there is any way we can help. I have found great support on this board.
You'll have to forgive me memory, but did you have all the MRIs (brain, cervical and thoracic)? If so, did they show anything? From what I understand, there is no DEFINITIVE test that says you have MS, but MRIs are pretty significant in getting as close to a diagnosis as possible. Aside from the MRIs, the only other test I had was an EMG (the electrode one) on my hand prior to the MRIs when my hand was showing weakness. I have only had one MRI as my baseline so I'll have to see what shows up when I get my first follow-up in 3.5 months. I just recently (last week) switched doctors and now I see an MS specialist.
Yes, I have 2 girls (4 and 6 years old), am 36 years old and was diagnosed the day before Thanksgiving last year. I am doing well on the Lexapro and am currently on Klonopin (after switching from Xanax last month). Both meds have done me a world of good, and I am a totally different person than I was 2.5 months ago. I am also seeing a counselor, and that is helping but I think it's really the medication that has made the difference.
Good luck with your diagnosis, and keep coming here if there is any way we can help. I have found great support on this board.
Chateau
02-21-2009, 07:13 PM
Diane,
Yep, had all the MRIs, lumbar to brain. Started with lumbar since I'd had previous back surgery in that area and thought my sx could be herniated disc (although there was no pain w/numbness). So we moved thru the rest of the tests ending with the evoked potentials. I'm hoping that with the LP there might be a definitive answer. Funny thing, tho, my PCP reported back to me that all the MRIs were normal except for arthritis based on radiologists reports. The neuro actually looking at the pictures had a whole different opinon. What a disappointment when I heard that. But he never used the word "lesion". Regarding the brain he said something about signals and hyperintensities and there was some inflammation at about T-7 in thoracic area. But as the numbness is increasing I know something serious is going on here.
Are your working full time and is that a struggle? You must have a wonderful support system with the two little girls. Are they both in school/preschool? We have a small family construction business so I get to work at home;however, at this time of the year and in this economy, not much work going on, so usually my retired husband and I are in Florida, which was where I was when this all started. I'm ready to go back ASAP. Supposed to leave Wed. Dr. says LP test results can take up to 3 weeks so why wait here and stew.
As usual, I talk too much......so good luck with your new specialist. I'm not sure what I'll do. I thought the neuro I'm going to was a specialist, now I don't know for sure. He's one of just 2 neurologists at Chicago Institute of Neurosurgery and Neuroresearch....where I had my back surgery 20 years ago. Got my fingers crossed...for you and me. Be well.
Linda
Yep, had all the MRIs, lumbar to brain. Started with lumbar since I'd had previous back surgery in that area and thought my sx could be herniated disc (although there was no pain w/numbness). So we moved thru the rest of the tests ending with the evoked potentials. I'm hoping that with the LP there might be a definitive answer. Funny thing, tho, my PCP reported back to me that all the MRIs were normal except for arthritis based on radiologists reports. The neuro actually looking at the pictures had a whole different opinon. What a disappointment when I heard that. But he never used the word "lesion". Regarding the brain he said something about signals and hyperintensities and there was some inflammation at about T-7 in thoracic area. But as the numbness is increasing I know something serious is going on here.
Are your working full time and is that a struggle? You must have a wonderful support system with the two little girls. Are they both in school/preschool? We have a small family construction business so I get to work at home;however, at this time of the year and in this economy, not much work going on, so usually my retired husband and I are in Florida, which was where I was when this all started. I'm ready to go back ASAP. Supposed to leave Wed. Dr. says LP test results can take up to 3 weeks so why wait here and stew.
As usual, I talk too much......so good luck with your new specialist. I'm not sure what I'll do. I thought the neuro I'm going to was a specialist, now I don't know for sure. He's one of just 2 neurologists at Chicago Institute of Neurosurgery and Neuroresearch....where I had my back surgery 20 years ago. Got my fingers crossed...for you and me. Be well.
Linda
em68
02-25-2009, 10:38 PM
I guess my first real smptom was severe fatigue that would hit without warning but I shrugged it off to taking care of a house and 3 kids. Then I started tripping, always looking back to see what I had tripped on but there was never anything there (in a mall). My friends and family started joking about stumps getting in my way. Then I got funny episodes of numbness, migraines and although I had epilepsy it was controlled but it suddenly went out of control and the seizures were coming every 30 minutes or so. That's when my present doctor started adding things up. It felt good to have a name for all those silly symptoms and know I wasn't just imagining things. The seizures are now completely controlled and I'm dealing with the m.s. as best I can.
Carol72
02-26-2009, 09:44 PM
Linda-Yes, I am absolutely blessed to have a fantastic support system. My husband is my rock. I also got through all this with the help of my parents, in-laws, siblings, aunts, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, friends, co-workers.....I could go on and on. I don't have enough fingers to count all the people that could be at my doorstep in less than 10 minutes. I am so lucky to have SO much support.
I am working full-time, and I have not had to slow down as a result of the diagnosis so far. I am also lucky that my husband works out of our house with a flexible schedule....my 6 year old is in first grade and 4 year old is half day preschool. She will start Kindergarten next year.
Thank you for your kind words, and best wishes to you. Make sure to come back and let us know the test results....fingers crossed for you too!
I am working full-time, and I have not had to slow down as a result of the diagnosis so far. I am also lucky that my husband works out of our house with a flexible schedule....my 6 year old is in first grade and 4 year old is half day preschool. She will start Kindergarten next year.
Thank you for your kind words, and best wishes to you. Make sure to come back and let us know the test results....fingers crossed for you too!
facet
02-27-2009, 03:04 PM
chateau, hi i have not been on for a while, i read ur post and i wanted to know if u get anxiety more now then before ur dx, im new to all this im in the process of seeing neuro in april, had about 3 mri and also lp with demyelation in brain dont know if that is the same as lesions also white matter, my pcp put me on buspar anxiety med, but im scared of taking it due to side effects, im getting anxiety almost everyday, hope to hear from u soon
Chateau
03-03-2009, 04:57 PM
Diane,
Here it is March already....I apologize for not responding but we came back down to Florida last week, and I'm trying to get reorganized. I got THE call today from my Neuro's nurse and my LP test was positive. I guess it's better to know than not. My symptoms are still very present and very annoying, but I went to the driving range today to hit a few balls, didn't fall over, but my feet are just a-buzzing. They are going to start me on Rebif whenever my insurance OK's it and MSLifelines gets the ball rolling. I'll go back and read your old posts for tips on this drug. I really want to have a positive attitude toward all this mostly because that's my nature anyway. But I really want to get off this Lyrica.....it makes me forgetfull and "bloaty". Maybe the forgetful part has to do with my worry about the dx. Now that it is here, I can move on.....ya think? I've taken Lexapro before with no adverse effects so maybe that will help if I need it. Anyway, thanks for the words of encouragement and I'll keep checking back frequently....I want to enjoy this nice sunny weather down here while I can before we head North again. Ick. Linda
Here it is March already....I apologize for not responding but we came back down to Florida last week, and I'm trying to get reorganized. I got THE call today from my Neuro's nurse and my LP test was positive. I guess it's better to know than not. My symptoms are still very present and very annoying, but I went to the driving range today to hit a few balls, didn't fall over, but my feet are just a-buzzing. They are going to start me on Rebif whenever my insurance OK's it and MSLifelines gets the ball rolling. I'll go back and read your old posts for tips on this drug. I really want to have a positive attitude toward all this mostly because that's my nature anyway. But I really want to get off this Lyrica.....it makes me forgetfull and "bloaty". Maybe the forgetful part has to do with my worry about the dx. Now that it is here, I can move on.....ya think? I've taken Lexapro before with no adverse effects so maybe that will help if I need it. Anyway, thanks for the words of encouragement and I'll keep checking back frequently....I want to enjoy this nice sunny weather down here while I can before we head North again. Ick. Linda
Chateau
03-03-2009, 05:09 PM
chateau, hi i have not been on for a while, i read ur post and i wanted to know if u get anxiety more now then before ur dx, im new to all this im in the process of seeing neuro in april, had about 3 mri and also lp with demyelation in brain dont know if that is the same as lesions also white matter, my pcp put me on buspar anxiety med, but im scared of taking it due to side effects, im getting anxiety almost everyday, hope to hear from u soon
Facet,
As I told Carol72, I'm out of town right now and not paying alot of attention to the Boards.....until today when I got my MS dx....very attention getting. I have never taken an anxiety med (my husband takes Xanax and has since his bypass surgery in '94) but I was on Lexapro a couple years ago and it helped me tremendously through a rough patch. I read alot about it and none of the bad stuff happened to me. Seems like the problems with anything make the most noise. And I see myself taking it again since this dx is definetly a "rough patch". Don't know anything about Buspar, sorry. Have you seen neuro before and he ordered all your tests to date? Why do you have to wait until April to see neuro or is it for a followup? Please get back to me and let me know how you're doing. If the Buspar doesn't work or has ill effects, your PCP will get you on something that will help. My doc says there's no reason to be miserable when there is medicine to get you throught the tough times. Linda
Facet,
As I told Carol72, I'm out of town right now and not paying alot of attention to the Boards.....until today when I got my MS dx....very attention getting. I have never taken an anxiety med (my husband takes Xanax and has since his bypass surgery in '94) but I was on Lexapro a couple years ago and it helped me tremendously through a rough patch. I read alot about it and none of the bad stuff happened to me. Seems like the problems with anything make the most noise. And I see myself taking it again since this dx is definetly a "rough patch". Don't know anything about Buspar, sorry. Have you seen neuro before and he ordered all your tests to date? Why do you have to wait until April to see neuro or is it for a followup? Please get back to me and let me know how you're doing. If the Buspar doesn't work or has ill effects, your PCP will get you on something that will help. My doc says there's no reason to be miserable when there is medicine to get you throught the tough times. Linda